Protecting The Human Body

The 3 lines of Defence

Macrophage (yellow) engulfing Escherichia coli bacteria (pink rods).
This process is called phagocytosis.
Dr Keith Wheeler / Science Photo Library
http://www.microbiologyonline.org.uk/about-microbiology/microbes-and-the-human-body/immune-system
 Learning Intentions
and Success Criteria
Learning Intentions:
The human body has a natural system of defence against
pathogens, consisting of 3 lines of defence.

Success Criteria:
1. Compare and contrast bacteria and viruses.
2. Explain the need for defending the human body.
3. Name the 3 lines of defence.
4. Explain how 4 aspects of the first line of defence work.
5. Explain 3 aspects of the second line of defence.
 Pathogens
A pathogen is a disease-causing agent.
BACTERIA VIRUS

Prokaryotic cell, with a cell wall, 0.5-5 Acellular, with no cell wall but with a
micrometres protein capsid, 0.01 to 0.3 micrometres

Divide by binary fission; Reproduce quickly Need a host to reproduce; Mutate, evolve,
recombine quickly

Direct contact transmission Direct contact transmission

Ingested, bodily fluids Ingested, bodily fluids

Salmonella, e-coli (food poisoning), ear Influenza, HIV/AIDS, smallpox, measles,

and eye infections, cholera, diarrhoea rhinovirus (common cold) herpes, Ebola

Treated with antibiotics Treated with antiviral (if accessible) or

pain-relieving medicine
 Why do we need defence?
The human body is constantly challenged by pathogens.
Our body is a perfect environment filled with food, moisture,
warmth and the space to multiply.

An infection becomes a battle between the invading

pathogens and the host. Our bodies are equipped to
fight off invading pathogens that may cause disease.
These are called our 3 lines of defence.

Physical barriers and the immune system defend the body against
pathogens that can cause infection.
 The lines of defence

1st line of defence: physical and chemical

barriers.
2nd line of defence: innate immunity.
3rd line of defence: specific immunity.
 First line of defence
BARRIERS
The first line of defence is non–specific and aims
to stop microbes from entering the body. The
skin and mucous membranes act as a physical
barrier preventing penetration by microbes.

Think Pair Share: What do

you think would be an
example of a first line of
defence?
 First line of defence

http://www.vce.bioninja.com.au/aos-2-detecting-and-respond/defence-against-disease/first-line-of-defence.html
 First line of defence
Skin
• Intact skin acts as
barrier against entry by
microorganisms
• A cut or abrasion allows
entry of foreign matter
i.e. bacteria, virus
• Glands in skin secrete
fatty acids
• Sweat glands release
fluid containing salt Computer artwork of bacteria (blue and green) on human skin.

which inhibit bacteria Wolfgang Baumeister / Science Photo Library

http://www.microbiologyonline.org.uk/about-microbiology/microbes-and-the-
human-body/immune-system
 First line of defence
Mucous Membrane
• Mucous secreted by cells
lining respiratory tract
• Traps foreign matter
which are swept upwards
to throat be action of cilia
which line much of
respiratory tract
• Cough, blowing nose,
sneeze removes foreign
matter
• Mucous also line digestive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (yellow) sticking to the mucus (blue) on the hair-like
cilia.
tract to stop bacteria from
penetrating cells beneath © Juergen Berger / Science Photo Library
http://www.microbiologyonline.org.uk/about-microbiology/microbes-and-the-
human-body/immune-system
 First line of defence
Natural Secretions

• Tears, saliva contain

antimicrobial agents
• Contain lysozyme – an
enzyme that cause bacteria
to burst
• Acid in stomach kills bacteria

https://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/
Intestinal_Microflora_and_Antibiotic_Resistance
 First line of defence
Normal Flora
• Many different bacteria found on/in
the human body
• Generally non-pathogenic in those
areas
• Presence of these bacteria inhibits
growth of pathogenic bacteria in
those regions because they compete
more successfully for space and
Mycobacterium chelonae bacteria. They're normal
nutrients flora in the guts and respiratory tracts of humans and
other animals.
• Antibiotics disturb normal flora Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Science
Photo Library/Corbis
activity and pathogens can infect http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-
microscopic/human-microbiome-project.htm
regions – opportunistic infection
 Quick Quiz!

1. What is the “first line of defence in humans”?

2. What are 4 examples of the first line of
defence?
 Second line of defence

If microbes do manage to get inside the body

then the second line of defence is activated.
This is also non-specific as it stops any type of
microbe.

INNATE IMMUNITY

Individual Activity:
Research and define innate or
immunity
 The adaptive immune response
The innate immune is slower to develop, but
response functions as the manifests as increased antigenic
second line of defence specificity and memory. This is
against infection. the third line of defence.
= Non-specific = Specific
These second line of defence involves
these cells in these processes:
1. Inflammation
2. Phagocytosis
3. Fever
 Second line of defence
Inflamation
• A pathogen stimulates an
increase in blood flow to an
infected area.
• Blood vessels in the area expand.
• White blood cells leak into the
tissue from the vessels to invade
the infected tissue.
• WBC (phagocytes) can then
engulf and destroy bacteria.
• This all causes a red, swollen,
painful inflammatory response.
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/
hs-human-body-systems/hs-the-immune-system/a/hs-the-
immune-system-review
 Second line of defence
Phagocytosis Video 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=iZYLeIJwe4w

Video 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=MgVPLNu_S-w

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5570470/
 Second line of defence
Phagocytosis
1. Initial contact occurs between phagocytes and
pathogen.
2. Phagocyte engulfs the pathogen.
3. Pathogen is enclosed within the cytoplasm in the
phagocyte.
4. A lysosome (filled with hydrolytic enzymes) fuses with
the engulfed pathogen.
5. The enzymes digest the pathogen.
6. The digested parts are released.
7. The antigen is presented on the plasma membrane.
 Second line of defence
You Try…
Fever
 New Nomenclature
Non-specific
Innate
First, second and third line of defence
Specific
Acquired
What are all these cells?
http://www.buzzle.com/images/diagrams/human-
body/hematopoiesis-chart.jpg
 Your Task…

Pick two cells from slide 13 or 22. Sketch them,

and research and determine their role in the
immune system.